Learning gamification and safety control application for mobile devices

ABSTRACT

An application for mobile devices that enables a server device to control multiple client devices with numerous features and capabilities relevant to both server and client devices, such as learning gamification and safety controls. Running on popular operating systems, this application is compatible with other mobile applications and provides a mechanism for the server device to override internal controls on one or more client devices with ability to configure access controls based on gamification features using parameters that include but not limited to applications, programs, goals, and rewards. This application includes safety and security control features that enables the server device to remotely monitor and control one or more client devices.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/095,125 titled “Learning Gamification and SafetyControl Application for Mobile Devices” and filed Jun. 9, 2016, now U.S.Pat. No. 10,219,146. The '125 Non-Provisional application is herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the proliferation of technology making mobile devices relativelyinexpensive to own and affordable for parents, employers, organizations,and others to provide one or more client devices to their dependents,employees, contractors, or others. By enabling a server device with theability to closely monitor and control usage of one or more clientdevices while encouraging and rewarding each user (dependent, employee,contractor, or other) for performing certain activities and tasks, alongwith reinforcement and rewards for achieving such criteria whileperforming the activities and tasks.

The Learning Gamification and Safety Control Application deliversparents, managers and others with peace of mind regarding theirchildren, employees', or others' safety and security while utilizing amobile device to browse the Internet, and access applications andcontent. With feature-rich user access and usage controls, parents andmanagers benefit from a user-friendly administrative interface whileusers operate their devices seamlessly. The Learning Gamification andSafety Control Application provides a mechanism for managing andmitigating foreseeable risks while using a mobile computing device andprovides important safety and communication tools.

Dependents, employees, contractors, and others are often provided with amobile device for entertainment or because their parent or employerwants quick access to call their dependent, employee or contractor.Resulting from the wide range of mobile device applications, holders ofmobile devices often lose focus, poorly manage their time, and loseproductivity due to playing games, watching videos, and searching theInternet, among other things. Examples include forgotten appointments,failure to communicate with others, failure to meet deadlines, failureto adequately prepare for important events or exams. This solutionprovides parents, employers, organizations, and others with the abilityto effectively deploy one or more mobile devices with the LearningGamification and Safety Control Application to enable a server device toconfigure, monitor, and control one or more client device features,applications, and content.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Dependents, employees and contractors operating a client device willbenefit from the task-oriented features that will help improve learning;shared calendar and integrated timer that strengthens time managementand concentration; advanced communications preferences with grouppolicies for prioritizing and managing interactions and interruptions;enhanced security capabilities with device tracking for quicker responseand one-touch device locator; safety dashboard for overseeing andpreventing inappropriate content and usage; alert and notificationengine to automatically communicate with either server or one or moreclient mobile devices based on system-defined and user-defined criteria.

In embodiments, a server device and one or more client devices includebut not limited to mobile phones, tablets, and handheld or mobilecomputing devices with communications capabilities, ideal for members ofone or more groups that may include but are not limited to familymembers, employees of a business, or members of an organization.

In embodiments, a server device includes a user interface for monitoringand managing each of one or more client devices. The server deviceprovides an interface for establishing and configuring access andcontrol for each of one or more client devices.

In embodiments, a client device includes a controller for managing,monitoring, and configuring user access to each application, feature,and content installed on the associated client device. Each clientdevice is controlled by one or more authorized and associated serverdevices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of Learning Gamification and Safety Control Application aredescribed within and with reference to the following Figures. These sameFigures are referenced throughout to such details that include but arenot limited to features and components, capabilities, functionality andprocesses;

FIG. 1 illustrates the features available with the Learning Gamificationand Safety Control. Application based on either the Server Device orClient Devices. These features include common features available to bothServer Device and Client Device, along with features enabled by theLearning Gamification and Safety Control Portal;

FIG. 2 illustrates the concept of hub and spoke mobile device computingwith the Server Device controlling one or more Client Devices and groupsof Client Devices. The Server Device communicates with the ClientDevices using a Learning Gamification and Safety Control Portalaccessible via wireless communications and the Internet;

FIG. 3 illustrates examples of user scenarios for Learning Gamificationand Safety Control. Application;

FIG. 4 illustrates the functionality of the Learning GamificationProgram. The Learning. Gamification Program enables users to setup oneor more Goals that, upon being established, allow the user to setupRequirements with one or more Expectations that result in one or moreRewards;

FIG. 5 illustrates the Learning Gamification Program Examples. Theseexamples include but are not limited to those shown;

FIG. 6 illustrates the Learning Gamification Program Data Model. Thismodel illustrates the critical field attributes necessary to configureone or more Goals with Requirements, Expectations, Scores and Times,associated to one or more Rewards with Results, Limits, Scores, andTimes;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of how the Server Device controls andmanages related features and capabilities installed on one or moreClient Devices;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of how the Server Device controls andmanages related features and capabilities installed on a Group of one ormore Client Devices, whereas the number of Groups and number of ClientDevices are unlimited by the Learning Gamification and Safety ControlApplication; and

FIG. 9 illustrates the high-level architecture for the Server Device andClient Device utilizing Wired or Wireless Communications to access theInternet and Learning Gamification and Safety Control Portal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Learning Gamification and Safety Control Application features andcomponents are described herein. In some embodiments, processes andtechniques involving server and one or more client devices are describedto share features and content. A server device may be configured tocontrol one or more client devices. Based on parameters set by theserver device, sharing of features and content may be enabled andaccessible, enabled and restricted, or disabled to one or moreassociated client devices.

In addition, the common features for server and client devices with theLearning Gamification and Safety Control Application installed includedirect two-way communications between the devices; group calendars;group task lists; one or more group policy alerts and notifications thatmay be associated to a task, meeting, email, appointment, timer or otheractivity; emergency mode with features that include user-definedprogrammable personal identification numbers (PINs) with preset actionsand processes; contact manager application for the server device user tomanage contacts on one or more client devices; audio and videotelephone; text and SMS messaging.

In addition, when the Learning Gamification and Safety ControlApplication is installed on both server and one or more client devices,the server device will authenticate, configure, manage, and control thefeatures, components, applications, and content accessible ornon-accessible, enabled or disabled on each of one or more clientdevices. The server device with the Learning Gamification and SafetyControl Application installed features, components, and applications onthe client mobile device, such as but not limited to tasks, timers,application controller, URL controller, usage reporting, usagecontroller, administrator desktop, key and screen logger, remoteapplication manager, mobile device manager, camera controller, screenshot generator, remote wipe, and network manager.

In addition, when the Learning Gamification and Safety ControlApplication is installed on both server and one or more client devices,the client devices will authenticate, provision, and grant full accessinto MI installed features, components, applications, and content to theserver device while maintaining the communications services provided toeach mobile device by their respective telephone service providers.

In addition, with the Learning Gamification and Safety ControlApplication, the features and components may employ a subscriptionservice that provides a limited use license to access value-addedservices and features that seamlessly integrate and enhance theapplications. Such value-added services and features include but are notlimited to content sniffer that searches and quarantines inappropriatecontent (examples include images, videos, music, texts, social media,email, games, chat, etc.; payment processing for collecting subscriptionand licensing fees from customers; mobile device activation forvalidating license and subscription; account management for maintainingcontact information and other relevant details; targeted advertising bycustomer segment.

FIG. 1 illustrates the features available with the Learning Gamificationand Safety Control Application on the Server Device 1002 or ClientDevices 1004. These features include Common Features 1006 available toboth Server Device 1002 and Client Device 1004, along with the LearningGamification and Safety Control Portal Features 1008.

FIG. 1 further illustrates the Server Device Features 1098 include butnot limited to: Create or Update Task 1060; Create or Update Timer 1128;Enable or Disable Applications 1086; Remote Application Install andRemoval Tool 1130; Setup Websites, URLs and Domains 1088; SetupApplications and Features 1132; Administrator's Desktop 1134; UsageControls & Viewer 1136; Enable or Disable Client Devices 1054; RemoteAudio, Video, and Camera Controls and Viewer 1138; Remote ContentSniffer 1140; Remote Data, Application, and Device Erase 1142; User andUsage Reporting 1096; Key and Screen Logs 1144; Stealth Mode Controlsand Viewer 1146; Content Controls and Viewer 1148; Learning GamificationControls and Viewer 1150; Safety Controls and Viewer 1152; andCommunications Controls 1154. The Server Device 1002 will control thefeatures available and accessible on one or more Client Devices 1004.

FIG. 1 further illustrates the Client Device Features 1200 include butare not limited to: Perform Tasks and Activities 1078; Access AllowedFeatures 1070; Access Allowed Applications 1068; Access Allowed Content1076; Access Allowed Websites, URLs, and Domains 1100; Usage and ContentTracker 1102; User Preferences 1082; Audio, Video, and Camera Hijacker1168; Manage Networks 1104; Print 1106; Key and Screen Logger 1108;Screen Shot Generator 1110; Application, Content, and Device Eraser1112; Alerts and Notifications 1114; Stealth Mode 1116; Emergency Mode1118; Content Sniffer 1120; Unrestricted Applications and Features 1122;Learning Gamification Program 1124; Existing Device System Applicationsand Features 1126.

FIG. 1 further illustrates the Common Features 1006 for Server Device1002 and Client Devices 1004 include but are not limited to: GroupCalendar 1156; Email Management 1158; Rewards Management 1160; Alert andNotification Engine 1166; Safety Features 1074; Content Management 1170;Task Management 1172; Contact Management 1174; Communications Management1176; Application and Feature Management 1180; Learning GamificationManagement 1182; and Wireless Access Management 1184.

FIG. 1 further illustrates the Learning Gamification and Safety ControlPortal 1008 features include but are not limited to: Activate orDeactivate Server(s) and/or Client(s) 1186; Licensing 1188; SubscriptionServices 1190; Payment Processing 1192; Account Management 1194; andUser Management 1196.

FIG. 2 illustrates the Association Types for Server-Client Devices. Theconcept of hub and spoke mobile device computing with the Server Device1002 controlling one or more Client Devices 1004 and/or one or moreGroups 1010 of Client Devices 1004. The Server Device 1002 communicateswith the Client Devices 1004 and Groups 1010 of Client Devices 1002using the Learning Gamification and Safety Control Portal 1008accessible via wired or wireless communications 1098 and the Internet1012. This diagram illustrates the concept that one or more ServerDevices 1002 control one or more Client Devices 1004 and Groups 1010 ofClient Devices 1004. There is no limit on the number of Server Devices1002, Client Devices 1004, or Groups 1010 of Client Devices 1004 thatassociate together. A Server Device 1002 may not control another ServerDevice 1002.

FIG. 3 illustrates Examples of User Scenarios for the LearningGamification and Safety Control Application 1222. Examples of the typesof users of Server Devices 1002 and Client Devices 1004 include but notlimited to: Parents 1202 with Children 1212; Employers and Managers 1204with Employees or Contractors 1214; Organization Leaders 1206 withContributors or Volunteers 1216; Teachers and Instructors 1208 withStudents and Trainees 1218; and Exam Proctors and Examiners 1210 withExaminees 1220.

FIG. 4 illustrates the Learning Gamification Program 1124. The LearningGamification Program 1124 shows how a Server Device 1002 user may setupone or more Goals 1014 to earn one or rime Rewards 1016. Goals 1014 areestablished using one or more Requirements 1020 with one or moreExpectations 1022 that result in one or more Rewards 1016. The programis designed following a flexible architecture that allows the user tospecify Requirements 1020 that comprises a Task 1030, Application 1034,Program 1224, and Other Requirement 1044. Requirement Tasks 1030 includeActivities, Emails, Meetings, Appointments, or other actions or recordsthat can be maintained using existing legacy applications, such as butnot limited to: calendar 1156, 1072; alarm clock, phone, camera,messaging, mail, audio and video player, or other existing device systemapplications and features 1126 designed to operate seamlessly with themobile computing device. Application 1034 includes each of one or morenon-system applications installed on the mobile computing device.Program 1224 represents the ability for one or more LearningGamification Programs 1124 to be subordinate to another LearningGamification Program 1224, where completing one or more LearningGamification Programs 1224 is required to successfully complete anotherLearning Gamification Program 1224 that packages all the subordinateprograms into a higher-level program. Other 1044 includes any actionthat is completed without using the Client Device 1004. Expectation 1022includes but not limited to one or more Limit or Score 1032, Duration1036, Other 1046, and Number of Occurrences 1226 associated with a Goal1014. When One Occurrence 1018 of the Learning Gamification Program 1224occurs, where one or more Requirements 1020 and one or more Expectations1022 are completed, one or more Rewards 1016 may be granted to theClient Device 1004 user. One or more Rewards 1016 are associated to oneor more Goals 1014 and defined with one or more Results 1024 associatedto one or more Benefits 1026. A Result 1024 includes but is not limitedto accessing one or more Applications 1228 and Features 1232, Other 1236(a user-defined field), and Points per Occurrence 1240, associated toone or more Benefits 1026 that include but not limited to ability to seta Limit per Occurrence 1230, Expiration 1234, Duration 1238, and Levelor Score 1242. Rewards 1016 include short-term Rewards 1016, such asaccessing games and applications on the Client Device 1004 or exercisingto lose weight, and long-term Rewards 1016, such as exercising to earn asavory dessert, or completing an online certification program to qualifyfor a promotion.

FIG. 5 illustrates the Learning Gamification Program Examples. A varietyof Examples 1028 with narratives are shown about how the LearningGamification Program 1124 may be utilized. These Examples 1028 includebut are not limited to those shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 illustrates the Learning Gamification Program Data Model. Thismodel illustrates the critical field attributes necessary to configureone or more Goals 1014 with Requirements 1020, Expectations 1022,Expectation Scores 1040 and Expectation Times 1042, associated to one ormore Rewards 1016 with Results 1024, Benefits 1026, Benefit Scores 1050,and Benefit Times 1052.

FIG. 6 further illustrates the Requirements 1020 include one or more ofthe following, but not limited to a Task 1030 or Activity, Application1034, Program 1224, or Other 1044. Based on the selected Requirement1020, the applicable Expectations 1022 will be dynamically visible, suchas but not limited to Duration 1036, Other 1046, Number of Occurrences1226, Limit or Score 1032, and Goal Status 1038. The user may set one ormore Expectations 1022 to each Requirement 1020. Based on the selectedExpectations 1022, the applicable Expectation Score 1040 and ExpectationTime 1042 fields will be dynamically visible for the user to entervalues. The Goal Status 1038 field will be automatically populated.

FIG. 6 further illustrates the Rewards 1016 include one or more of thefollowing, but not limited to a Task 1030 or Activity, Application 1034,Program 1224, or Other 1044. Based on the selected Result 1024, theapplicable Benefits 1026 will be dynamically visible, such as but notlimited to Duration 1238, Expiration 1234, Limit per Occurrence 1230,and Level or Score 1242, and Reward Status 1048. The user may set one ormore Benefits 1026 to each Result 1024. Based on the selected Benefits1026, the applicable Benefit Score 1050 and Benefit Time 1052 fieldswill be dynamically visible for the user to enter values. The RewardStatus 1048 field will be automatically populated.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of Server Device Controls and ClientDevice Capabilities. This diagram shows how the Server Device 1002controls and manages related features and capabilities installed on aGroup 1010 of one or more Client Devices 1004, whereas the number ofGroups 1010 and number of Client Devices 1004 are unlimited by theLearning Gamification and Safety Control Application. The Server Device1002 controls and manages related features and capabilities installed onone or more Groups 1010 of one or more Client Devices 1004. Similar toFIG. 6, the Server Device 1002 will establish the association to one ormore Groups 1010 of one or more Client Devices 1004 and provide a userinterface for managing the capabilities and features accessible to eachGroup 1010 of one or more Client Devices 1004. The Server Device 1002manages one or more Groups 1010 of Client Devices 1004 withconfigurations that include but are not limited to: Manage Devices 1054;Manage Groups 1056; Manage Users 1058; Tasks and Activities 1060;Learning Gamification Programs 1062, 1150; Rewards Programs 1064; andServer Preferences 1066.

FIG. 7 further illustrates that each Client Device 1004 within a Group1010 of Client Devices 1004 will individually authenticate and associateto the Server Device 1002 and provide a user interface for utilizing theenabled and allowed capabilities and features. The Client Device 1004enabled and allowed capabilities and features include but not limitedto: Applications 1068; Device Features 1070; Calendar 1072; SafetyFeatures 1074; Content 1076; Tasks and Activities 1078; LearningGamification Programs 1062, 1080; and User Preferences 1082.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of Server Device Controls and ClientDevice Capabilities. This diagram shows how the Server Device 1002controls and manages related features and capabilities installed on oneor more Client Devices 1004, or Groups 1010 of Client Devices 1004. TheServer Device 1002 will establish the association to one or more ClientDevices 1004 and provide a user interface for managing the capabilitiesand features accessible to the Client Devices 1004. The Server Device1002 allows the user to Manage a Client Device 1054, 1004 withconfigurations that include but not limited to: User Settings 1084;Allowed Applications 1068, 1086; Allowed Websites, URLs, and Domains1088; Allowed Content 1076, 1090; Safety Controls 1092; LearningGamification Controls 1094; and Reporting and Logs 1096.

FIG. 8 further illustrates the Client Devices 1004 will authenticate andassociate to the Server.

Device 1002 and provide a user interface for utilizing the enabled andallowed capabilities and features. The Client Device 1004 enabled andallowed capabilities and features include but are not limited to:Applications 1068; Device Features 1070; Calendar 1072; Safety Features1074; Tasks and Activities 1078; Learning Gamification Program 1080,1124; and User Preferences 1082.

FIG. 9 illustrates the High-Level Architecture. FIG. 9 illustrates howthe Server Device 1002 and Client Device 1004 utilize Wired and WirelessCommunications 1098 to access the Internet 1012 and LearningGamification and Safety Control Portal 1008. The Server Device 1002communicates with the Client Devices 1004 using the existing wirelesscommunications hardware and software installed on the computing deviceto send and receive various instructions, commands, applications, andcontent to one or more Client Devices 1004 or Groups 1010 of ClientDevices 1004. Utilizing the Wired and Wireless Communications 1098 toaccess the Internet 1012, the Server Device 1002 and Client Devices 1004automatically update with the relevant applications, content, features,and capabilities installed and configured as enabled and/or allowed bythe Server Device 1002.

FIG. 9 further illustrates that the Server Device 1002 interacts withthe Client Device(s) 1004 or Groups 1010 of Client Devices 1004, whetherindividually or in a Group 1010, and Learning Gamification and SafetyControl Portal 1008 using the Wired and Wireless Communications 1098features and capabilities to transmit data that includes but not limitedto: Configurations; Settings for Applications, Features, and Content;Tasks and Activities 1060, 1078; Safety and Monitoring Controls andSettings, Learning Gamification Controls and Settings 1094; and ApprovedRequests; Allowed Applications, Features, and Content; Safety andMonitoring Applications; and Learning Gamification Application.

FIG. 9 further illustrates that the Client Devices 1004 interacts withthe Server Device 1002 and Learning Gamification and Safety ControlPortal 1008 using the Wired and Wireless Communications 1098 featuresand capabilities to transmit data that includes but not limited to:Content Requests 1090, 1076; Application Requests 1086, 1068; DeviceFeatures 1070 (includes but not limited to phone calling, text and SMSmessaging, video calling, image and video viewers, contact manager,calendar, video player and other device features pre-installed by thedevice manufacturer and intended for the specific device); SafetyFeatures 1074 (includes but not limited to Emergency Mode 1118, devicelocator, parental controls, user and usage reporting; camera,flashlight, and other device features pre-installed by the devicemanufacturer and intended for the specific device) 1070; Reports andLogs 1096; Safety Controls 1092; Client Content and Data 1076, 1090.

FIG. 9 further illustrates that the Wired and Wireless Communications1098 features and capabilities provide the Server Device 1002, ClientDevices 1004 and Groups 1010 of Client Devices 1004 with access to theInternet 1012 and the Learning Gamification and Safety Control Portal1008. The Wired and Wireless Communications 1098 include capabilities toanswer incoming and complete outgoing audio and video phone calls,transmit data, and respond to and create outgoing messages using amobile service provider.

FIG. 9 further illustrates the Learning Gamification and Safety ControlPortal 1008 provides the Server Device 1002, Client Devices 1004 andGroups 1010 of Client Devices 1004 with features and capabilities thatoperate using data that includes but not limited to: Requested Content;Requested Applications; Administrator Console; Account Management; ErrorReporting; Data Storage; Device Backup; Authentication; Pushed Content,Acceptable Content; Acceptable Applications; and Device Settings.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for enabling a server device tocontrol at least one client device, the system comprising: one or moreassociated client devices electronically connected to a wirelesscommunication network, each client device having capabilities ofoperation and a control application loaded thereon; a server deviceconnected to the wireless communication network and having a controlapplication loaded thereon, the server device comprising: a usercommunication interface configured for direct bi-directionalcommunication with the one or more associated client devices via thewireless communication network; and an integrated display configured todisplay the user communication interface; the control applicationcomprising: a safety dashboard for overseeing and preventinginappropriate content and usage on each of the client devices; and arewards manager for issuing rewards to each of the client devices; aprocessing engine having a control application portal which isconfigured to: receive an input from the server device controlapplication for the one or more associated client devices; and initiatedirect communication between the control application of the serverdevice and the control application on each of the one or more associatedclient devices; wherein, once communication is initiated, the controlapplication of the server device allows the server device to control atleast some of the capabilities of operation of the one or moreassociated client devices and issue rewards to one or more associatedclient devices.
 2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein thecapabilities of operation of the one or more client devices compriseapplications, settings, access, and restrictions.
 3. The system asrecited in claim 1, wherein the control application portal is furtherconfigured to: generate and receive user and usage reports from each ofthe one or more client devices that indicates use of an application ordevice feature by client device; generate and receive a device usagereport for each of the one or more client devices; enable a display orprintout of the device usage report for one or more associated clientdevices; and grant access to allowed applications, websites, and contentbased on configurations within the settings.
 4. The system as recited inclaim 1, wherein the control application portal is further configured toreceive usage report from the one or more associated client devices, theusage report indicating one or more of the following with date and timestamps and duration: Internet history; Web sites and URLs visited; Websites and URLs attempted but disallowed; Content viewed for contacts,books, files, images, videos, applications, audio, or other multimediaformat; Rewards earned for completing requirements and expectations; andScores achieved and rewards earned for performing activities and tasks,achieving a pre-defined score, and performing for a specified timelimit.